Marking apparatus



Dec. 18, 1962 F. AHLBURG MARKING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July9, 1956 6 J. E e A R W 2 M m rm WM r {\INM. A in M $8? 2 W A I on 0 3xfn Q As pm x Dec. 18, 1962 F. AHLBURG 3,068,785

MARKING APPARATUS Filed July 9, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 18, 1962 F.AHLBURG MARKING APPARATUS Filed July 9, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 s 3 m3 3wINVENTOR. fZA/V/(AMBMG MYW Dec. 18, 1962 F. AHLBURG 3,

MARKING APPARATUS Filed July 9, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. fkA/VK4428mm W Qw llllll/I/IIII/II/I/IJ finite This invention relatesgenerally to marking apparatus and more particularly to markingapparatus for marking produce such as potatoes and fruit.

Marking apparatus for produce is generally placed in the production lineand therefore all produce passing through the production line must passthrough the marking machine. It is often not desirable to mark all ofthe produce passing through the production line as for example, whensome of the produce is sub-standard or does not fall within a certaingrade. For this reason, means should be provided for bypassing theproduce when marking is not desired. In the past, marking machines havefailed to provide such means.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved marking apparatus for produce such as potatoes or fruit havingmeans whereby the produce can be bypassed when marking is not required.

Another object of the invention is to provide marking apparatus of theabove character having improved die carrying members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a marking apparatus of theabove character in which the inking mechanism and the die carryingmembers are moved as a unit when it is desired to bypass produce.

Another object of the invention is to provide a marking apparatus of theabove character in which the pressure between the die carrying membersand the inking drum can be adjusted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a markin g apparatus ofthe above character having an improved inking drum.

Another object of the invention is to provide a marking apparatus of theabove character having means for cleaning the dies after they havecompleted a marking operation and before they come in contact with theinking drum.

A further object of the invention is to provide a marking apparatus ofthe above character having an improved conveyor.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from thefollowing description in which the preferred embodiment has been setforth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a marking apparatus incorporatingthe present invention.

IGURE 2 is a partial side elevational view of the marking apparatus fromthe side opposite that shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged partial rear elevational view partly in crosssection of the marking apparatus shown in FIGURE 1 with certain partscut away and showing the die carrying members and the inking drum intheir lowermost positions.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 55 ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 66 ofFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIGURE 3.

States Fatent EQQ FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along theline 9-9 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of one of the printingtires.

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-41 of FIGURE10.

FIGURE 12 is a plan view of a portion of one of the printing tires.

FIGURE 13 is a partial view of a modified roller.

As shown in the drawing, my marking apparatus consists of a framework 11which forms a support for an elevating or conveying assembly 12 and aprinting mechanism assembly 13. The printing mechanism assembly consistsof a die carrying assembly 14 and an inking drum assembly 16. Theframework 11 also provides a support for a die'cleaning assembly 17 andsuitable motive or drive means 18.

The framework 11 consists of a stand 21 formed of suitable material suchas angle iron members welded together to provide supporting legs 22. Apair of side plates 23 and 24 are fixed to the stand by suitable meanssuch as capscrews 26. Cross members 28 and 29 connect the side plates 23and 24 to provide a rigid framework.

The supporting framework of the elevating or conveying assembly is alsoformed of a suitable material such as angle iron members to providesupporting legs 32 and bracing members 33. The conveying assembly 12 isalso formed of a suitable framework and consists of angle members 34 and36 mounted on each side of the conveying assembly. The angle members arefixed to side plates 37 which are fixed to the legs 32.

A plurality of parallel spaced rollers 39 are disposed between theopposite sides of the conveying assembly formed by the angle members 34and 36 so that their axes are at right angles to the angle members 34and 36. The ends of the rollers are connected together by links 41(FIGURE 7) to provide a pair of endless chains 42 and 43 at oppositeends of the rollers.

Angle members 36 form upper guideways for the ends of the rollers andthe endless chains whereas other angle members 44 adjustably fastened tothe angle members 34 by suitable means such as capscrews 46 form lowerguideways for the same purpose.

The lower ends of the endless chains connecting the rollers 39 pass oversprocket wheels (not shown) fixed to a shaft 48 which is journalled inbearing blocks 49. The bearing blocks 49 are slidably mounted in guidestructure 50 and are adapted to be moved longitudinally of the sideplates 37 to cause tightening or loosening of the endless chains by asuitable arrangement 51 such as shown in the drawing which consists ofbolts 52 mounted in the guide structure and threaded into internallythreaded members 53.

The upper ends of the endless chains are adapted to be driven by andpass over sprocket wheels 54 as hereinafter described.

The rollers 39 making up the conveying means each consist of a hollowcylindrical shaft 56 having end pins 57 mounted therein and adapted tobe inserted in the ends of the links 41 as shown in FIGURE 3. Aplurality of members 59 are mounted on each of the shafts 56 and spacedaxially thereof. The members 59 can be formed of a suitable resilientmaterial such as rubber and are formed in such a manner as to provide ahigher central portion 59a equidistant from the ends of the member. Themembers are also formed to provide tapered portions 5% which slantinwardly from the central portion towards the shaft 56 and with portions59c which also slant inwardly towards the shaft 56 but at a greaterangle than portions 5%. The members 59 are also formed with tubularportions 59d. The members 59 are spaced in such a manner that arelatively small portion of the shaft is exposed between each of the twoadjacent members for a purpose hereinafter described.

Members 62 of a suitable resilient material are provided oneach end ofthe shaft 56. It will be noted that each of these members is similar toa one-half portion of the members '59. Members azure adapted to beengaged by rotation imparting means .64 and 66 as shown in FIG RE 7.'

Rotation imparting means 64- consists of angle members 67 extending thelength of the conveying assembly on both sides of the conveying assemblyand are pivotally connected to the'framework for the conveying assemblyby suitable means such as capscrews 68. As shown in FIGURE 7 the upperends are fastened to side plates as which are fastened to the anglemembers 36 by suitable meanssuch as welding. One surface of each of theangle members 67 is provided with a strip 71 of suitable frictionmaterial such as sponge rubber. As can be seen from FIGURE 7 the strips71 of friction material are movable between a roller rotating and anout-of-the-way position by tightening and loosening of the capscrews 68.

When rotation imparting means 64 is in the roller engaging position asshown in FIGURE 7, the rollers 39 will be rotated in a clockwisedirection When the endless conveyor 12 is moved in a clockwise directionas yiewed in FIGURE 4. If it is desired to have the rollers rotate in acounterclockwise direction while the endless conveyor is being rotatedin a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 4, rotation imparting means64 is moved out of engagement with the member 62 to out-ofthe-waypositions by loosening the 'capscrews 58. Rotation imparting means as isthen swun from its'o'ubofthe-way p osi-tion into a roller engagingposition as shown by the dotted lines in FIGURE 7 to engage the topsurfaces of themembers 62 to cause counterclockwise rotation of therollers 39 as the endless conveyor is rotated in aclockwise direction. 7

As can be seen from the drawing, rotation imparting means 66 consists ofstrips 72 of suitable friction material such as sponge rubber which arefixed to hinged members 73. Hinged members 73 are fixed to woodenprotective ledges 74 which are mounted on the side plates 69 and 37 bysuitable means'such as screws 76 It is apparentfrom the foregoing thatwhen an endless conveyor is rotating in one direction the rollerscomprising the endless conveyor can be made to rotate in the same oropposite direction by the rotation imparting means at and 66 for apurpose hereinafter described.

It will be noted that rotation is only imparted to the rollers 39 from apoint beginning at. the end a of side plates'37 and terminating at apoint adjacent side plates 69 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The sprocket wheels '54 used for driving the endless conveyor are fixedto a crossshaft -79 which'is suitably journalled inside plates 23 and 24of the framework 13.

' Shaft 79 is driven by the drive means 18 which can consist of a motor81 and a speed reducer 82. A sprocket f' .wheel-Slqjis mounted on theoutput shaft of the speed reducer 82 and drives a chain belt 84 whichdrives a sprocket 85 mountedon shaft 79. g A pair of circular plates 36are jco axiall'y aligned on thefshaft 79 and are fixed to the sideplates 23 and 24.

An. annular rim 87 is mounted on each of the circular,

platesfefd and'serves to-prevent theendless chains 42 and 43 frombecoming'disen'gaged from the sprocket wheelsd i.

' rollers in a direction opposite to the direction --in which Aplurality of star wheels 88 are fixed to the cross shaft :79 andunderliethe die carrying assembly-14 for a purpose hereinafter described. Thestarwheelsare substant ially paddle -shaped and areprovided withweb-shaped articlessupporting members 88a which are adapted to extendbetween the rollers as shown in FEGURE 3 to provide support for theproduce as it is marked "as hereinafter described.

Theoperation of the conveying assembly may now be biiefiy describedesfollowsr 'Let' it be assumed that the V in the same direction beingcontinuously fed onto the conveying assembly 12.

Since the members 59 on the roller are aligned laterally andlongitudinally potatoes or fruit placed thereon will align themselvesand will come to rest in the recesses between four adjacent members. Asthe endless conveyor is moved in a clockwise direction, the rollers 39including the members 5 will be rotated in' a clockwise direction by therotation imparting means 64. It has been found that rotation of therollers during movement-causes the potatoes or fruit to be alig'ue'dsothat their longer or longitudinal axes are parallel to the axes of therollers 39. Thus, by the time the potatoes or fruit reach the upper endsof the conveying assembly 12 they will be spaced laterally andlongitudinally in accordance with the spacing between members 59. Inaddition, they will 'be positioned it is desirable that the potatoes orfruit be held on a relatively stationary position with. respect torotation about their own axes.

It has been found that when the rollers 39' are rotated as the endlessconveyor is rotated there is a tendency between certain of the rollersparticularlyat the point'9l when rotation of therollers is terminated.It will'be'evident from viewing FIGURE 4 that 'if the rotation o'f'oneroller in a clockwise direction has been terminated and rotation ofanother roller assembly is continued that there will be a tendencytourge the fruit or potatoes between these two rollers. This has beenfound to be particularly true of small fruit such as lemons.

H Therefore, when marking lemons and-other small'produce, it has beenfound to be desirable to rotate tie the endless conveyor is beingrotated. In my apparatus this is accomplished by moving the-rotationimparting means 64out of engagement with the member-s62 and swinging therotation imparting means 66 intoengagement with the members 62. Asexplained previously, this will cause rotation of the rollers inan'opposite direction. By rotating the rollers in this manner, it hasbeen found that there is no longer any tendency for the rollers to urgesmall fruit such as lemons between the rollers. The tubular portions 5%on the members 59 have been provided for the purpose of holding smallpotatoes and fruit in a position equidistant between the members '59 tofacilitate marking as hereinafter described. 7

As "described previously, the printing mechanism assembly 13 cons istsof a die carrying assembly 14' and an inking drum assembly 16 The diecarrying assembly 14 and the inking drum assembly 16 are both mounted ina pair of side plates 89 and91. Side plates 89 and 91' are movablevertically with respect to side plates '23 and 24 and are slidablymounted thereon by pin and 'slot connections 92. The side plates 89 and91 are'adapted' to be moved vertically by a mechanism'consisting-of ashaft 96 rotatably mounted on the side'plate 23 andprovidedwith aone-half portion having right hand threads. and another one half portionhaving left hand fthr'eads. A pair of trunnion nuts 97' are mountedon-opposite. half portions ofthe threaded shaft 96. The trunnion nuts $7engage arms 98 which are fixed to shafts 99 rotatably for the rollers tourge the produce 7 It is apparent that as the hand wheel 1% fixed to theshaft 96 is rotated in one direction or the other the side plates 89 and1 and the die carrying assembly and printing drum assembly mountedthereon will be lowered or raised with respect to the side plates 23 and24 and the conveying assembly carried thereby.

The die carrying assembly 1 1 is shown particularly in FIGURE 3 andconsists of a shaft 111 journalled in side plates 89 and 91 and on whichare fixed a plurality of die carrying members or tires 112 of resilientmaterial such as rubber and formed in the shape of inflatable annuluses.The shaft 111 is provided with a plurality of spaced annular grooves113, two grooves being provided for each the 112. The tires 112 areprovided with tubular extensions 11% having ribs 116 adapted to beseated in the grooves 113. After the tires 112 have been slipped ontothe shaft 111 so that the ribs 116 are in the appropriate grooves 113,the tubular extensions 114 are fixed to the shaft by suitable clampingmeans such as a clamp 117, a detail of which is shown in FIGURE 9.

A plurality of holes 118 are provided in the shaft 111 and are spacedlongitudinally along the shaft in such a manner that one hole opens intothe interior of each of the tires 112 to permit filling the tires withair and maintaining a predetermined pressure within the tires ashereinafter described.

A valve 119 is mounted on the shaft 111 to permit filling the tires 112with air at a desired pressure. A gauge T21 is also mounted on the shaftso that the pressure within the tires may be readily determined.

The outer periphery of the die carrying members or tires 112 are formedwith annular U-shaped channels 124 as shown particularly in FIGURE 12.The tires 112 are also formed with studs 126 which are spaced around theperiphery of the tires in the channels 124.

A belt 127 is adapted to be mounted on each of the tires 112 in thechannels 124-. The belt is provided with holes 128 which are adapted tocooperate with the studs 126. Thus, the channels 124 serve to preventlateral movement of the belt and the studs 126 prevent rotationalmovement of the belt with respect to the tire. The belt 127 is formed ofa suitable resilient material such as rubber and is provided with afabric reinforced back 129. A plurality of recesses 131 are formed inthe belt and are spaced along the length of the belt between the holes128. The recesses are adapted to accommodate dies 132. The dies areformed of a suitable resilient material such as plastic and arecomprised of a body portion 132a which is of sufficient thickness toextend for a substantial distance above the recess 131 to facilitategrasping of the dies so that they may be readily removed and placed inthe recess. The die is also provided with a flanged portion 13212 whichextends around the body of the die and is adapted to be engaged byoverhanging lips 133 formed on the belt adjacent are also provided witha top portion 132s which bears the letters or insignia with which it isdesired to mark the produce.

it is apparent that the dies 132 may be readily removed and insertedinto the recesses 131 merely by deforming the belt adjacent the recessesto accommodate the dies.

It has been found that the leading edge of each die is subject to morewear than the rest of the die and for that reason the belt 127 isportions 13-1 which are of a height substantially the same as the topportion 132c. The raised portion 134 can be formed on either side of thedie depending upon the direction of rotation of the die. The raisedportion serves to reduce the wear on the leading edge of the die andthus serves to substantially increase the life of the die.

The inking drum assembly 16 consists of a shaft 141 iournalled in theupper ends of the side plates $9 and 91. The right hand bearing assemblyfor shaft 141 as viewed in FEGURE 3 is shown particularly in FIGURE 6and recesses 131. The dies formed with raised inclined I consists of apair of slide guides 14-2 which are fixed to the side plates 91 bysuitable means such as welding. The slide guides are provided with guidegrooves 143 which are adapted to receive lips 144 formed on a slidingblock 146. The sliding block 146 accommodates a ball bearing assembly147 having inner and outer races 14% and 14%. A cam support 151 ismounted in the inner race 14%. The outer race 149 of the bearingassembly 147 is held in position by a member 152 which is fixed to thesliding block 1% by suitable means such as capscrews 153. The inner raceof the ball bearing assembly is held in position by nuts 154 threadedonto the inner portion of the cam support 151.

Cam support 151 is provided with an outer flanged portion 151a on whicha cam sprocket 156 is mounted by suitable means such as capscrews 157.Annular grooves 158 are formed between the cam sprocket 156 and theflanged portion 151a of the cam support and are adapted to looselyaccommodate lips 159 formed on a bearing member 161. A bushing 162 ofsuitable material such as bronze is mounted within the bearing member161 and provides a support for the shaft 141.

A cam drum 164 is mounted adjacent the outer margin of the cam sprocket156 by suitable means such as capscrews 156 and is provided with a camsurface 167 which will cause cyclic axial oscillation of shaft 141 bymeans of a cam follower 1%. Cam follower 163 consists of a cam followerarm 169 which is fixed to one end of the shaft 141. The other end of thecam follower arm is provided with rollers 171 which are adapted toengage the cam surface 157.

The left hand mounting for the shaft 141 as viewed in FTGURE 3 is shownparticularly in FIGURE 5 and consists of slide guides 173 which arefixed to the side plates 83 by suitable means such as welding. The slideguides 173 are provided with lips 174 which are adapted to cooperatewith guide grooves 17% in a sliding block 177. A self aligning ballbearing assembly 17 8 having an inner race 179 and an outer race 181 ismounted within the sliding block 177. A sprocket support member 182 ismounted in the inner race 179 and is provided with an outer flangedportion 1312a.

The inner race 179 of the ball bearing assembly 178 is held in positionadi cent the flanged portion 18202 of the sprocl-iet support member 132by a not 183 threaded on the inner end of the sprocket support member132. A bushing 184 is provided in the support member 132 and rotatablyand slidably carries the shaft 141. An inking drum sprocket 136 ismounted on the flanged portion 1320: by suitable means such as bolts187. A pair of drive keys are fastened to two of the bolts 1'87 and aremounted in recesses 139 which extend diametrically of the sprocket Wheel1%. The drive keys are provided with extensions 18% which are adapted toslidably engage xeyways 191 in the shaft 141.

A compression spring 1% is mounted on the end of the shaft 1 1 adjacentthe sprocket wheel 136 for a purpose hereinafter described. The innerend of the spring is held in position by an inner spring cup 19 and isfixed to the drive keys 183 by suitable means such as capscrews 1%. Theouter end of the spring is held in position by an outer spring cap 197which is fixed to the shaft 141 by nut It is apparent that the spring 1%continually urges the shaft towards the left as viewed in FIGURE 3against the action of the cam follower 16%.

An inking drum 291 is mounted on the shaft 141 between the side plates8% and and consists of a tubular member 2112- which is wrapped with manylayers of an inking ribbon 2%. The inking ribbon can be of any suitablematerial such as a pre-inkcd paper. The inking ribbonis wrapped onto themember M2 in the same direction that the member is rotated duringoperation. The end of the ribbon is held on the member ZdZ by suitablemeans such as staples 2114. A pair of end .drive means '18.

g on the side plate 23. 1

members 265 mounted on the shaft 141 serve to carry the tubular members202. One end member 205 is fixed to the shaft 141 by a removable pin 2%Whereas the other end member is engaged by a capstan out 287 threaded onthe shaft 141. The capstan nut 267 is used for compressing the tubularmember 202 between the end members 2-15 to hold the tubular member inplace.

Since the inking ribbon is wrapped onto the tubular member 2422 in thesame direction that the tubular member 2fi2 is rotated, there will be notendency for the ribbon to unwrap during operation of the markingapparatus. When the outer surface of the inking ribbon has given up mostof its ink and it is desired to expose fresh inking ribbon, it is merelynecessary to remove the staples 204 and unwind two or three wraps of theinking rib-hon and tear that portion of the inking ribbon from thetubular member 282. The staples 2% may then be replaced. In this manner,a new and fresh inking surface can be exposed whenever desired.

Means is provided for adjustin the vertical position of the inking drum261 with respect to the position of the die carrying assembly 1 -andconsists of a threaded shaft 208 which is rotatably mounted on the sideplate 39. A trunnion 209 is mounted on the threaded shaft 208 and ispivotally connected to. the ends of links 211.

The other ends of the links are pivotally connected to an arm 212 whichis fixed to one end of a shaft 213 rotatably mounted on the side plates89 and 91.' The other end of the shaft 213 is fixed to an arm 214adiacent side plate 91. Arms 2112 and 214 engage sliding blocks 177 and145 respectively and it is apparent that as the hand wheel 216 mountedon the shaft 208 is ro tated the sliding blocks 146 and 177 will beraised and lowered with respect to the die carrying assembly 14.

The inking drum assembly and the die carryng 21556111 bly 14 are drivenby a chain belt 219. The main belt 215$ engages the sprocket 186 whichdrives the shaft 141 and the inking drum 2131 mounted thereon. The chainbelt 21 also engages a sprocket Wheel 2221 which is fixed to the shaft111 and serves to drive the die carrying assembly 14. The chain belt 219is driven by a sprocket wheel 222 which is fixed to the cross shaft 79.As explained previously, the cross shaft 79 is rotated by the A pair ofidler assemblies 223 and 224 are mounted A Idler assembly 223 consistsof a substantially diamond-shaped idler plate 226 which is pivotallymounted on side plate 23 at 227 and is formed with a: slot 223 which isadapted'to cooperate with a pin 229 mounted on one of the liftingarms162. An

idler sprocket wheel 231 is rotatably mounted on the idler plate 226opposite the pivot point 227 and engages the chain belt 2159 to urge itinto engagement with the sprocket wheel 221. V

Idler assembly 224 consists of an idler plate 233 of substantiallytriangular shape which is pivotally mounted on another of the liftingarms 192 at 234. A pair of sprocket wheels 23621116 237 are rotatablymounted 'on the idler plate 233.011 opposite sides of the pivot point234.. The end of the idler plate 233 opposite the end on which the idlersprocket Wheel 237 is mounted is 7 connected by a spring 238 to one endH of the idler plate 226 of'the idler assembly 223.

Idler assembly 22 acts as a. spring loaded take-up idler for the chainbelt 219 and serves to maintain it in a relatively taut condition. 7

The position of'the idler sprocket wheel 231 is determined by the pin229 in'the lifting arm '192and serves to prevent the chain belt 219 fromcoming out of engagemerit with the sprocket wheel 221 and thereby servesto 'm-aintain the correct timed relationship between sprocket wheels 221and222.

The cam sprocket wheells vused for driving thec'am a 7 decreased anditwill drum 164 is driven by a chain beltz242. The chain belt sprocketwheel 243 whichj is fixed 'to pivotally mounted on one of ink istransferred to the dies.

A die cleaning assembly 17 is mounted on the framework 1 1 and consistsof an angle member 255 which is t fixed to the side plates 89 and 91 sothat it will be moved V vertically when the side plates 89 and 91' aremoved vertig shaft 79 on the end opposite the end on which sprocketwheels 222 and 86' are fixed. An idler assembly 244 for maintaining thechain belt 242 in a relatively taut condition is mounted on the sideplate 24 and consists of an idler plate 246 substantially triangular inshape and the pins used for making the pin slot connections 92. A pairof idler sprocket wheels 247 and 248 are rotatably mounted on oppositeends of the idler plate 246. A spring 249 has one end connected to theend of the idler plate 246 adjacent the sprocket wheel 248 and the otherend is fastened to a pin 251 on one of the lifting arms 102. a

The ratio of the sprocket wheels 156 and 2 53 for driving the cam drum164 is such that the cam drum 154 is driven at a speed slightlydifferent from the speed that the shaft 141is driven. It is apparentthat the ratio of the speeds of the shaft 141 to the cam drum 164determines how many times the cam follower 168 will rotate with respectto the cam drum 164 during a predetermined number of revolutions of theprintingrdrum 201. For example, assume that the shaft 141 makes 364revolutions for every 363 revolutions made by the cam drum 164. Whenthis occurs, it is apparent that the cam follower 168 will makeone'cornplete turn relative to the cam drum 164 during every364 turns ofthe inking drum 201 to cause axial oscillation of the shaft 141 and theinking member 281 mounted thereon to cause a fresh inking surface to bepresented to the dies 132 every time they are inked. During the firsthalf revolution of the cam follower 168 with respect to the cam 164, theshaft 141 and the inking drum 291 will be moved to the right as viewedin FIGURE spring 193 until the inking drum is in a position adjacent theside plate 91. During the other half revolution of the cam follower 168with respect to the cam 154,.the shaft 141 and the drum 261 are allowedto return to the extreme left position as viewed in FIGURE 3 under theforce of spring 193.; r 7

By'rotation and oscillation of the inking drum 201, fresh surfaces arepresented to the dies 132 so that they will always be adequately'inked.This movement of the inking drum 201 also causes maximum utilizationofthe inking ribbon 202. When the dies 132 fail to receive sufficientink from the inking ribbon, several layers of the inking ribbon can betorn from the inking drum as I previously described to provide a newinking surface.

By operation of the hand wheel 216 it is possible to vary the pressurebetween the dies 132 to cause the proper amount of'ink to be transferredto the dies. Also as the inking ribbon 262 is used up, the diameter'ofthe inking ribbon will be gradua'ly hand wheel 216 so that at all timesa proper amount of cally. A plurality of brackets 257 are fixed to theangle member 256 and carry mounting block s 258. The brackets 257 andthe mounting blocks 258 are spaced 'along the length of themember256 andprovide a support for a pipe 259/ The nozzles 261 spaced along thelength thereof in such a 'manner that the nozzles are in line with thedies 132 on pipe carriesa plurality of the. tires 112. 'The pipe 259 isadapted to be rotated.

77 in the mounting blocks 258 and held in a predeterm ned position bysuitable means such as the nozzles 261 is provided with a restrictedorifice-(not shown) which will direct a jet of air passing therefrom.

One end'of the pipe 259 is closed (not shown) ,and

the other end is connected to a coupling 263. The cou pling 263.isconnected by a hose 264 (FIGURE 9)=to a", i t V 'camvalv'e assembly26d:Th i al -"i' 3 against the inking ribbon 2G2 and the V be necessary togradually lower the inking drum and adjust it relative to the dies 132by the.

screws 262.] Each'of v mounted on the framing member 256 by suitablemeans such as a bolt 267. The cam valve assembly 266 is also connectedby hose 268 to an air pressure regulator 269 (FIGURE 1). The airpressure regulator 269 is connected by a pipe 271 to a solenoid operatedvalve 272. The solenoid operated valve is connected to a source of airpressure (not shown) by a pipe 273. The solenoid operated valve isconnected by a conduit 274 to the motor 81 and is wired to theelectrical system for operating the motor in such a manner that thesolenoid operated valve turns oil the air supply when the motor is notrunning.

The cam valve assembly 266 is of a type well known in the art and issuch that when the cam follower 277 is moved to the left as viewed inFIGURE 8, air is permitted to enter the hose 264 to pass into the pipe269 and out the nozzles 261. The cam follower 277 is adapted to beoperated by a cam wheel 273 fixed to shaft 111.

The cam wheel is provided with raised portions 27811 which are spaced onthe periphery of the cam wheel 278 the same as the dies 132 are spacedon the belt 127. The cam valve assembly 266 is operated each time thecam follower 277 engages one of the raised portions 278a to permit airto enter the pipe 259. Thus, it is apparent that at predeterminedintervals jets of air will pass from the nozzles 261 and engage thetires 112. By means of the cam wheel 278 the jets of air are so timedthat they will strike the dies 132 and blow off any dirt or moisturethat may have been carried away from the produce when it was engaged bythe dies.

A discharge platform 281 is mounted on an extension of the cross member28 and is provided with a surface 282 of suitable resilient materialsuch as rubber.

Operation of my marking apparatus may now be briefly described asfollows: Let it be assumed that handwheels 106 and 216 have beenadjusted so that the parts are in a proper operating relationship. Letit also be assumed that produce such as a plurality of potatoes is beingcontinuously emptied onto the conveying assembly 1'2. As explainedpreviously, the operation of the conveying assembly will elevate thepotatoes and at the same time will align the potatoes laterally andlongitudinally. The conveying assembly will also align the potatoes sothat their longitudinal axes are parallel to the axes of the rollers 39.

The operation of the conveying assemblies is in a timed relationshipwith respect to the rotation of the die carrying assembly 14 so thateach time a row of potatoes comes into position underlying the tires 112a row of dies 132 mounted on the tires will come into engagement withthe tires to mark the potatoes. During the marking operation, the starwheels 38 provide a firm base for the potatoes and prevent the potatoesfrom being forced between the rollers by the marking dies. The starwheels also serve to lift the potatoes above the rollers so that thepotatoes can rotate on their axes relative to the rollers. This makes itpossible to mark potatoes of various diameters without smudging thepotatoes and also facilitates ejection of the potatoes after they aremarked and prevents the potatoes from being lodged between the rollersand carried with the rollers.

The tires 112 are readily deformable to accommodate potatoes of varioussizes as shown in FIGURE 4. The dies 132 are also formed of a flexibleresilient material so that they will accommodate any indentations in thepotato. This insures that the potato will be properly and completelymarked.

The air pressure in the tires may be maintained at any desired pressure,however, it has been found that about two pounds of air pressure is verysatisiactory. As explained previously, the interiors of all t..e tiresare interconnected so that the pressure in all of the tires will beuniform. This makes it possible for the marking apparatus to accommodatepotatoes of many different sizes.

For example, let it be assumed that a very large potato is passing underone of the tires. This will cause a major deformation of the tire,however, the marking pressure will not be much greater than if a smallpotato were passing under the tire because the air would be forced fromthat tire into the other tires making very little change in the overallair pressure in all of the tires.

As rotation of the conveying assembly 12 and the printing tire assembly14 continues, the marked potatoes Will be discharged onto the dischargeplatform 281 after which they may be packaged in a conventional manner.

The next row of potatoes is then presented for marking with the nextsucceeding dies 132 on the tires 132.

During the time that the dies 132 are marking potatoes, they may pick upsome of the moisture and dirt which may be present on the potatoes. Thiswill make it difficnlt for the die to pick up ink from the inking drumassembly 16 and for that reason the die cleaning assembly 17 has beenprovided. Therefore, a short time after the dies have been used formarking the potatoes, a jet of air is passed over them from the nozzles261 in a timed relationship as explained previously. The jets of airserve to clean any moisture or dirt that may cling to the dies.

After the dies have been cleaned, they come in contact with the inkingdrum assembly 16 and receive ink therefrom in the next markingoperation. As also explained previously, the pressure between the tires112 and the inking ribbon 262 can be varied by rotation of the handwheel216. As also explained previously, each die receives a fresh inkingsurface because of the rotational and oscillatory movement of the inkingdrum 2%.

When it is not desired to mark the potatoes or fruit coming up theconveying assembly 12, the entire printing mechanism assembly 13comprising the printing tire assembly and the inking drum assembly maybe raised away from the conveying assembly by rotation of the handwheel1% which raises the side pates 89 and 91 and the parts connected theretoas hereinbefore described to bypass the potatoes and prevent marking.

By means of handwheel 1% it is possible to adjust the position of thetires 112 relative to the conveying assembly 12 to accommodate differentsizes of potatoes or different kinds of fruit. For example, when it isdesired to mark a fruit such as lemons, the tires 112 are moved to aposition which is closer to the conveying assemby 12. g

In FIGURE 13, I have shown another embodiment of a roller which can beused in the conveying means 12. The roller consists of a shaft 236provided with a plurality of annular grooves 237 having one width and aplurality of annular grooves 238 of a greater width. A ring or annularmember 289 is mounted in each of the grooves 287 and is formed of asuitable resilient material such as rubber. A ring or annular member 291of a substantially greater outer diameter than one of the members 291 ismounted in each of the grooves 288. It will be noted that a pair ofmembers 239 is mounted between each pair of adjacent members 291 andthat the members 289 and 291 are spaced from each other.

In operation, the large oblong potatoes of the type shown at 292 areengaged by the outer larger members 291 and the smaller and roundpotatoes of the type shown in dotted lines at 293 are engaged by themembers 289. The smaller annular members 289 serve to properly centerthe smaller potatoes to facilitate their marking.

It is apparent from the foregoing that I have provided a new andimproved marking apparatus which is suit able for marking many differentkinds of produce such as potatoes, citrus fruits and the like. Theapparatus is particularly advantageous in that it will accommodate manydifferent sizes of produce with little if any adjustment. Produce mayalso be moved through the apparatus without marking when desired.

'the same direction as the drum is rotated, a cam drum,

said shaft being slidably and rotatably mounted in said drum, a camfollower mounted on said shaft and adapted to engage said cam drum,means mounted on said shaft for continuously urging said shaft in onedirection and urging said cam follower into continuous engagement 7 withsaid cam drum, said cam drum being contoured to cause cyclic axialoscillation of said shaft, and means for causing rotation of said camdrum at a slightly different speed from the rotation of said shaft andsaid inking drum.

2. in a marking apparatus for produce of the type having a markingstation, conveying means for moving produce through the marking station,an inking drum andmarking means adapted to receive ink from the inkingdrum to mark the produce as it passes through the marking station, saidmarking means comprising a shaft, 2. pluralityof inflated deformableannular members mounted on said shaft in spaced relation, a plurality ofdies mounted on each of said members and spaced about the peripherythereof, and means interconnecting the interiors of said inflatedmembers to placesaid members under a common pressure.

, 3. In a marking apparatusrfor produce of the type having a markingstation, conveying means for moving produce through the marking station,an inking drum and marking means adapted to receive ink from the inkingdrum to mark the produce as it passes through the marking station, saidmarking means comprising a hollow shaft having closed ends, 'a pluralityof inflatable deformable annular members mounted on. ,said shaft inspaced relation, said shaft being formed with spaced openings incommunication with the interiors of said members whereby said membersare under a common pressure, and a'plurality of dies mounted on saidmembers and spaced about the peripheries thereof.

4. Inna marking apparatus for produce, a frame, a marking stationdisposed within said frame, die carrying membersrotatably carried bysaid frame at said marking station, an inking drum rotatably carried bythe frame and da'apted to be engaged by the dies, and conveying meansmounted on said frame and adapted to carry" produce through the markingstation, said conveying means comprising a plurality of spaced parallelrotatable rollers, means for advancing the rollers, a pairof stripspivotally mounted on said frame and independently movable between rollerengaging and out-of-the-Way positions, one of said's-trips when inengagement with said rollers serving to rotate the rollers in the samedirection as the direction in which the rollers are being advanced,

the other of said strips when in engagement with said rollers serving torotate the rollers in the opposite direction from the direction in Whichthe rollers are being advanced. j

5. In" a marking apparatus for produce, a frame, a markingstationQdisposed Within said frame, die carrying membersrotatablycarried by said frame at said marking station, "an inking drum rotatablycarried by the frame and adapted tobe engaged by the dies, and conveyingmeans mounted on said frame and adapted to carry produce through themarking station, said conveying means comprising a plurality of spacedparallel rollers, each of the rollers consistin of a shaft, a pluralityof spaced 1 pairs of annular ringsef resilient material mounted on 1said shaft, and additional spaced pairs ofannular rings of resilientmaterial mounted on said shaft, one of said:

7 .1? additional pairs being mounted in the space between rings of eachof said first named pairs of annular rings, said additional pairs havingan outer diameter substantially less than the outer diameter of saidfirst named pairs of annular rings. 7 V

6. in a marking apparatus for produce, a frame, conveying means mountedon said frame and adapted to carry produce through a marking station, ashaft rotatably mounted in said frame, die carrying members mounted onsaid shaft and adapted to engage the produce for marking of the same asit passes through said Sta.- tion, an inking drum rotatably carried bythe frame and adapted to engage the dies, a plurality of nozzles carriedby the frame, one of the nozzles being disposed adjacent each of the diecarrying members, an air supply, a valve assembly connecting said airsupply to said nozzles, a cam member mounted on said shaft, and a camfollower engaging said cam member and connected to said valve assemblywhereby upon rotation of said shaft and the die carrying members saidvalve assembly will be operated to cause the application of a jet of airto each of the dies on the die carrying members. after each of the dieshas completed a marking operation and before it is inked by the inkingdrum. V

7. in a marking apparatus for produce, the combination of conveyingmeans for advancing articles ofproduce in parallel lines and in parallellateral rows to a marking station; a frame means at said marking stationcomprising upstanding spaced end frame portions; a carrier plateslidably mounted on each upstanding end frame portion for verticalmovement relative thereto; a diecarrying means rotatably mounted on saidcarrier plates in operable relation to said conveying means at saidmarking station; an inking means above said die-carrying means and incooperable relation therewith; means for mounting said inking means onsaid carrier plates for rotation and for reciprocal axial movementrelative to said die-carrying means; means for moving said carrierplates for raising and lowering said die-carrying means and said inkingmeans as a unit with respect to said mark- .ingstation; and means formoving said inking means relative to said die-carryingme-ans and to saidcarrier plates. a

8. An apparatus as stated in claim 7 wherein said conveyor meansincludes a plurality of parallel rotatable roller members, each of saidroller members having axially spaced, resilient pocket-forming elementsthere on, each elementserving to form with adjacent elements on its ownmember and on immediately adjacent roller members a plurality ofpockets, each pocket lying between two adjacent roller members. a

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